Program Prerequisites

Acceptance for graduate study requires approval by both the Graduate School and the Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. Specific admissions requirements include:

• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor's degree with a “B” average (3.0)* or higher from an accredited institution. *Exceptions may be made. For questions, contact geneticcounseling@med.wayne.edu.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language: Applicants whose native language is other than English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other English proficiency examination. There are exceptions to these requirements. See here for additional details: https://gradschool.wayne.edu/admissions/english-proficiency.
• Specific Courses: Successful completion of undergraduate course work in the following:
  • Biology, two semesters
  • General/Inorganic Chemistry, two semesters
  • Organic Chemistry, one semester
  • Genetics, one semester (A wide variety of genetics courses can satisfy this requirement. But in general, it should be an upper level genetics course.)
  • Biochemistry, one semester (An upper level biochemistry course is preferred over community college or lower level courses.)
  • Statistics, one semester
  • Psychology, one semester
• Advocacy Experience: Our program specifically would like applicants to have counseling advocacy experience- i.e., experiences where a person receives training in counseling/interpersonal communication skills and then uses those skills to help someone in distress. Examples include but are not limited to crisis counseling hotlines (including crisis text hotlines), domestic violence hotlines/shelters, sexual assault hotlines/advocacy, grief and loss support organizations, peer counseling experiences, and resident assistant positions. Questions about applicable experiences can be addressed to the program directors.
• Insight into the Genetic Counseling Profession: Successful applicants should be able to show that they have investigated the genetic counseling profession and can describe their reasons for wanting to become a genetic counselor. There are many ways to learn about the profession. Shadowing and/or meeting with genetic counselors are effective ways to learn more about the profession, when possible. There are many other ways to learn about the profession. These include watching podcasts about genetic counseling and patient experiences with genetic conditions, watching videos of mock genetic counseling sessions, attending open houses/seminars hosted by genetic counseling programs (many of which are now virtual), attending genetic counseling conferences (again, many of which may be virtual), reading about genetic counselor, and/or taking a course on genetic counseling. To find genetic counselors in your area that are willing to meet with prospective applicants, use the NSGC Find a Counselor Tool.   

NOTE:  We do not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as a prerequisite for admissions.

 

Contact Information

Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Wayne State University School of Medicine
3127 Scott Hall
540 E. Canfield Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

Administrative Office:
(313) 577-6298
Fax: (313) 577-9137
Email: geneticcounseling@med.wayne.edu